The 7 Best Anti-Pollution Skincare Products For 2023
When it comes to taking care of your skin the best way possible, you should never apply anything on your skin that is not dermatologically tested and the best for your skin as well.
So if you are looking for the best anti-pollution skincare products, then here are a few of the best dermatologically tested that you should give a try and see for yourself.
How Does Air Pollution Damage The Skin?
According to Dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus, “Air pollutants damage the skin by activating metabolic and inflammatory processes. These processes can lead to an acceleration of signs of aging, such as lentigines, and wrinkling in the skin, and may even exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and acne.”
“In addition, UV radiation interacts with air pollutants to form a ground-level ozone, which creates free radicals that damage the skin by creating an oxidative stree response.”
What Does Anti Pollution Mean In Skincare?
As per Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, “anti-pollution in skincare refers to incorporating ingredients, such as antioxidants, that help protect the skin against free radical damage that causes oxidative stress on the skin.”
1. Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Refillable. | It is a bit pricey, but it does last for months. |
| It is available in 3 different sizes. | – |
| Woman-Founded | – |
| It works on all types of skin and ages. | – |
| SLS -, Sulfate-, & SLES-free | – |
| Beautiful packaging | – |
“Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream contains vitamins C & E, which have both been shown to be reduced in the skin after exposure to pollution. This formula also contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, which helps to reinforce the skin barrier, which in turn helps the skin to resist damaging pollutants,” explains Marcus.
| Best Ingredients | Vitamins C&E, Bionymph peptide complex, and Hyaluronic acid |
| Rating | 4.4 stars with over 3810 reviews on Sephora. |
2. Most Affordable: Acure Brightening Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Serum
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 100% Vegan product | Reviewers with sensitivity to strong smells don’t love the product. |
| Absolutely oil-free, so it won’t clog the pore and cause acne. | – |
According to Garshick, “The blend between ferulic acid and vitamin C with pinapple extract and matcha tea to improve discoloration and dullness. It’s also infused with papaya extract, which helps fight free radical damage, minimizes signs of aging, and exfoliates dull skin.”
| Best Ingredients | Ferulic Acid and Vitamin C |
| Rating | 4.3 stars, along with 1170 reviews on Amazon |
3. For A Brightening Powerhouse: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It stays effective for about 72 hours. | A very expensive option. |
| It is safe for sensitive skin types. | – |
According to dermatologist Dr. Alain Michon, “The serum features a synergistic combination of 15% pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid), 1% vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and 0.5% ferulic acid. This combination enhances the protection against environmental stress and damage caused by free radicals.”
| Best Ingredients | Vitamins C & E and Ferulic acid |
| Rating | 4.5 stars with around 5400 reviews on SkinCeuticals reviews. |
4. For Blue Light Protection: ILIA Blue Light Protect + Set Mist
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clean at Sephora | Few reviewers have said that the nozzle gets clogged with repeated uses. |
| It hydrates the skin and also sets the makeup perfectly. | – |
As per Dr. Garshick, “This non-sticky mist works to hydrate and set makeup while also providing protection from blue light and pollution, making it a great option for on help refresh and reset the skin.”
She further explains, “ILIA’s face mist on marine actives to hydrate, firm, and guard the skin against pollution, while tara extract neutralizes free radicals and protects the skin from blue light exposure. Mastic is especially handy for summer because it minimizes shine, acts as a pore minimizer, and visibly smoothes the skin.”
TIP: “Store this hybrid facial mist and finishing spray in your fridge.It feels incredibly refreshing on the skin, and doctors previously told us that cold beauty products help soothe irritation and help extend the product’s lifespan.”
| Best Ingredients | Hydrolyzed Algae, Sea water, tara extract, and mastic. |
| Rating | 4.2 stars with 1010 reviews on the Sephora website. |
5. For Mineral Sun Protection: Colorscience Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Has the most reviews over at Amazon. | The deepest shade might not be dark enough for the darker skin tones. |
| The non-comedogenic formula won’t cause any skin acne. | – |
Dr., Garshick noted, “Some sunscreens may contain ingredients that help to protect the skin against free radical damage, in addition to protecting against UV rays. For this, the go to solution is the Colorescience Sunfogettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex.”
She further said, “This lightweight, broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide 12%, iron oxide, antioxidants, and a patented Enviroscreen technology to protect against UVA/UVB blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation.”
Lastly, she said, “Although Sunforgettable is available in four shades, it doesn’t leave behind an annoying white cast on darker skin tones. It blends easily, and the iron oxide pigments adapt to someone’s complexion (Colorescience advice using a lighter color if someone is between shades.).”
| Best Ingredients | Environscreen technology, Niacinamide, and Zinc Oxide |
| Rating | 4.5 stars with around 2300 reviews on Amazon. |
6. For An Affordable Sunscreen: Andalou Naturals Deep Hydration Daily Shade + Blue Light Defense SPF 30
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The formula is lightweight and gentle on the skin. | The untinted mineral sunscreen can leave a white cast behind. |
| The Skin Cancer Foundation recommended. | – |
According to Dr. Garshick, “This ultra lightweight formula combines apple stem cells, biodesigned collagen, and hyaluronic acid with zinc oxide to protect the skin while also nourishing it and hydrating it. It also contains ectoin providing additioncval protection against environmental stressors like blue light and pollution. It has a fresh and light fragramce leaving you feeling refreshed.”
Fun Fact: “While not as eco-friendly as a refillable beauty product, like the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream, this packaging is made with 50% recycled plastic, which is a step in the right direction to help cut down on waste.”
| Best Ingredients | Bio-designed collagen, zinc oxide, and hyaluronic acid. |
| Rating | 4 stars with around 10 reviews over at Anadolu. |
7. For The Ultimate Skincare Cocktail: Maei MD Serum 6
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Created by expert dermatologists. | Above 60+ reviewers say that visible anti-aging is a slow result. |
| It contains antioxidants, amino acids, plant stem cell extracts, peptides, probiotics, and 15+ medical-grade vitamins. | – |
Founded by Dr. Marcus, she said, “I’m confident anyone looking to add a gentle, lightweight addition to their beauty routine will also be a fan of this item.”
She further explained, “As pollution has been shown to negatively impact the skin microbiome, the probiotics in Serum 6 can help by supporting the skin’s natural microbiome. The serum absorbs quickly and completely and acts as a smooth base under makeup and sunscreen.”
| Best Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and Pinus pinaster. |
| Rating | 4.8 stars with about 46 reviews on Maei MD |
How Should We Protect Our Skin From Pollution?
Dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus explained, “We can protect our skin by using products that contain antioxidants. It is also important to thoroughly cleanses the skin at the end of each day, ensuring complete removal of dirt, debris, and pollutants that may have accumulated on our skin throughout the day.”
What Ingredients Protect Against Pollution?
According to Garshick, “Antioxidants protect the skin against pollution as they help to neutralize free radicals and prevent free radical damage that can be caused by pollution. Some antioxidants include Vitamin C&E.”
She further continued, “Another winning ingredient in someone’s anti pollution skincare routine is section, a compound sometimes called extremolyte, which offers protection against external stressors. It can also help to moisturize the skin as well as support the skin barrier.”
Does Sunscreen Protect Skin From Pollution?
According to Dr. Marcus, “Physical SPF (aka mineral sunscreen) does help to protect against some forms of pollution. Using a physical sunscreen containing ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is beneficial; these ingredients exert their protective effects by forming a physical barrier on top of the skin that prevents harmful UV rays from reaching the skin. Since some pollutants are activated by UV radiation, this protective physical barrier can help defend skin against pollution-induced damage.”
Wrapping Up!
Well, there you go, all these anti pollution skincare products are great if you start using them on a regular basis on your face.
All these skincare products are good, but it is best that you consult your dermatologist before using any of these on your skin in case you have sensitive skin. Now if you think this article was helpful, then give this article a like and comment down below.
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